Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has lauded Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for approving the Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) for two newly established federal tertiary institutions in Bende Local Government Area.
The institutions, the Federal College of Education, Bende, and the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Item, are expected to commence operations following the approval, a move Kalu described as a major milestone in advancing education and socio-economic development in Abia State.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, in June 2025, signed into law the bills sponsored by the Deputy Speaker establishing the two institutions in Bende Federal Constituency.
Reacting to the governor’s approval, Kalu said the issuance of the Certificates of Occupancy would accelerate the take-off of the institutions while creating employment opportunities, improving access to quality education and healthcare, and stimulating economic growth within Bende and the wider Abia State.
The Deputy Speaker, who represents Bende Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, also praised the growing partnership between his office and the Abia State Government, describing the collaboration as essential to the state’s development agenda.
He reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with Governor Otti’s administration to attract more federal projects and developmental initiatives to Abia.
“I commend His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, for this swift action. It is a synergy that works for the development of Abia State and our people in general,” Kalu stated.
The approval of the Certificates of Occupancy is widely seen as a significant step towards the full operationalisation of the two federal institutions, which are expected to strengthen the educational and healthcare landscape of the state while contributing to its long-term economic development.
